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leech
leech
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European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis). Head of the giant Amazon leech (Haementeria ghilianii). The retractable proboscis is used to pierce the skin and suck blood from the host. anatomy of the European medicinal leech medicinal leech
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European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis).
leech summary
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Also known as: Hirudinea
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European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis).
leech
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Category: Animals & Nature
Related Topics:
medicinal leech
Rhynchobdellida
Branchiobdellida
land leech
Arhynchobdellida
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leech, (subclass Hirudinea), any of about 650 species of segmented worms (phylum Annelida) characterized by a small sucker, which contains the mouth, at the anterior end of the body and a large sucker located at the posterior end. All leeches have 34 body segments. The length of the body ranges from minute to about 20 cm (8 inches) or even longer when the animal stretches. Leeches occur primarily in fresh water and on land. Members of the order Rhynchobdellida occur in the sea as well as in fresh water. One member of this order, the giant Amazon leech (Haementaria ghilianii), ...(100 of 758 words)

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